Hydrostatic weir, gate, and the like



May 27, 1952 JERMAIIIQ 2,598,389

HYDROSTATIC WEIR, GATE AND THE LIKE Filed May 5, 1949 m I L? Q i EM 1 i L, .5;

"'"" h I INVENTOR.

Patented May 27, 1952 HYDROSTATIC WEIR, GATE, AND THE LIKE Frantisek Jermar, Prague, Czechoslovakia Application May 5, 1949, Serial No. 91,538 In Czechoslovakia November 29, 1948 There is a series of hydrostatic weirs or gates of known design using a pair of gate doors hinged on a common horizontal axis and arranged either in a plane or at an angle not much differing from 180. Weirs or gates of this kind have been designed by Desfontaines.

Weirs of similar design, invented by Chittenden, have been frequently used in the United States.

Both gates are able to make about a quarter of a revolution round a central axis along the sill of the weir. The water pressure from the upper pool acts permanently upon the front side of both gates. The lower gate extends into a concrete chamber of cylindrical shape, which chamher is a common feature of the weirs of the above mentioned design, and by admitting the water to the chamber and allowing thus the pressure from the upper pool to be applied simultaneously to both sides of the lower gate, the water pressure upon the upper gate tends to turn the gates into the horizontal position. By connecting the chamber with the lower water pool, the water pressure acts upon the front side of the lower gate only, which causes both gates to turn into the raised position.

This cylindrical chamber is as a rule filled with water either from the upper or lower pool and causes many difliculties, especially in winter, where freezing of parts, which are in contact with water which is not moving, constitutes a serious drawback of these weirs. Another drawback is the difficult construction of the cylindrical concrete masonry of the chamber, into which the gate must closely fit. If any repairs are made on the lower gate, it is necessary to empty part of the upper pool in front of the gates.

It is an object of the invention to provide weirs or gates acting in a way similar to those of Despontaines or Chittenden, but which do not require the elaborate cylindrical chamber.

It is a further object of the invention to provide weirs or gates where the above mentioned chamber may be kept permanently empty unless the weir or gates are to be lowered.

A still further object is to permit the use of this chamber in connection with channels to regulate automatically the height of the upper water pool.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a weir or gate where repairs may be made without requiring special arrangements in front of the weir or gate and without applying any substantial forces for raising barriers at this place.

Other advantages and objects of my invention 6 Claims. (Cl. 61-26) 9 into the chamber 1 will be apparent from the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, where Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross section of a movable hydrostatic weir or gate in the raised position, Fig. 2 a cross section of a similar weir in a lowered position, Fig. 3 another embodiment of the invention, using an auxiliary chamber, and Fig. 4 a schematic cross section of a channel with gates arranged in accordance with the invention.

The hydrostatic weir as shown in Fig. 1, arranged between vertical side walls I2, comprises an upper gate 1 and a lower gate 2, hinged both on a common horizontal axis 3 on the sill of the masonry 8 of the weir. A shield plate 4 of the shape of a sector of a cylinder having its axis coincident with the axis 3 is joined to the lower end of the gate 2. into a chamber 1 in the masonry 8 of the weir,

said chamber having on its lower front side an abutment [3 along the Whole width of the weir and almost contacting the cylindrical shield plate 4 and shutting this chamber from the water of the upper pool. A duct 9 terminating above the normal water level of the upper pool leads to the chamber 1, which is connected with the lower water pool by the duct It. In the example shown, where the gates act automatically, no valves are provided in the ducts 9 and ID. The cross section of the duct 9 is usually larger than that of the duct I0.

The raised weir is held in its position by the water pressure upon the front side of the lower gate 2, while the chamber 1 is connected with the lower pool and is empty as long as the water level of the lower pool does not rise above the bottom of the chamber 1. The relative height of the gates I and 2 are proportioned so that the turning moment upon the lower gate 2 due to hydrostatic pressure from the upper water exceeds the turning moment exerted upon the upper gate I.

In Fig. l the weir is shown in solid lines in the I raised position. If water in the upper pool rises above the chosen level, it will enter, by the duct and flow to the lower pool through the duct ID. If the duct IB is unable to lead away all the water supplied by the duct 9, the chamber 7 starts to fill and, when full, the water contained therein starts to build up pressure upon the back of the gate 2. As soon as this pressure rises to such an extent that the turning moment in the clockwise direction exceeds the opposite turning moment upon the front of the gate 2, the gates begin to turn, allowing water to overflow. As soon as the balance between both moments is established, the gates remain in a cer- This shield plate 4 extendsv awassc tain intermediate position, or, if the amount of water exceeds a certain maximum, the gates take the position i, 2', c, shown on Fig. 1 in broken lines.

If the flow of water diminishes, the pressure in the chamber I becomes lower and the weir is again raised partly or fully, as the chamber 1 is emptied. The lower gate 2 is sometimes provided with a body 5, increasing its weight and increasing thus the turning moment tending to raise the weir, so as to enable the gate 2 to be of a lesser height with respect to the height of the gate I than would otherwise berequired. As is shown in Fig. 2, it is possible to form a closed compartment 6 from the lower gate 2, the cylindrical shield plate 4 and the auxiliary wall il, and to fill this compartment with water either permanently or in accordance with a temporary need. By use of the shield plate 4, it is possible to give to the gates I and 2 a shape that is most suitable for the hydraulic conditions, to make the arrangement and maintenance or the hinges simpler and to obtain access to the gates from their back side through the chamber I, in case the conditions or the gates are to be checked.

The embodiments described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 are most suitable as crest gates, although they may be used in connection with Wells, water locks; channels and similar struc titres;

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment primarily suitable for weirs. The arrangement of the gates I and 2 with the shield plate 4 and the chamber I is similar to that described with reference to Fig. 1. There is however a second auxiliary chainber I4 in front of the chamber I and connected with the upper pool by the duct H. The chamber I4 is provided on the top with one or more cover plates I5 hinged on a horizontal axis I6. The free ends of these cover plates rest against the gates land 2 so as'to close the chamber I4 in any position of the gates I and 2. In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 this latter result is accompli'shed'by a cylindrical abutment located upon the gates I and 2 and having an axis coincident with the axis 3. The cover plates l5 prevent the chamber (4 from being filled with gravel and other solid material carried along by the water. The chamber Hi is under normal conditions connected with the upper pool by the duct H, which is closed only when 'r'nai'nt'enance work is to be done on the weir. Ducts 9 and i communicate withtiie chamber 1 and having the same rune tion'as previously described. When the weir is raised, the chamber 1 is' empty. If the overfiowing water covers the entrance to channel 9, the chamber I starts to fill and when the channel I!) cannot carr away all the incoming water, the Water pressure the manner I is b'iiilt ui iifitil it is sulfieient to cause the lowering of gates. Tuewatr in the classiest in partially cows back t6 the upper 15661 through the duct IT. If repairs or maintenance work are'to be done on the weir, the eaves plates I ma be raised by ineanscf chain's nah into the upright position l5 shown inhrcken lines. raising "may be done with a' iiiim force as it is accomplished while of the pressure of the upper pool is taken u by the gates I, 2. The cover plates I5 thus constitute a rovisionai weir,

Fig. 4 shows other embodiment of the inter-i tion used a gate for a channel lllywh'ic h may be for instance a bypass channei in a rock, can or any similar structure. Thi e ntodiment neludes the upper and lower gates I and 2 hinged on a common horizontal axis with the shield plate 4 joined to the lower gate 2 and extending into the chamber I. If this channel I9 is to serve as a means for regulating the height of the upper pool, ducts 9 and I0 communicate with the chamher I, as was described with reference to Fig. 1.

If no automatic regulation of the head of the upper pool is required, theduct 9 in Figs. 1-4 terminates in the upper pool below the water level and is provided with a valve by which the admission of water to the chamber 1 may be controlled. A similar valve is arranged in the channel I0.

As was already mentioned, the gate structure according to the invention may be used in connection with hydrostatic movable weirs, as crest gate s gate s forby pass channels, sluice gates and similar structures.

Due to the possibility of shaping the gates to meet local conditions, they are particularly suitable in places where ice conditions are heavy and where ice may be easily carried away overthe top of the gate. The gates are not likely to be put out of order by frost, as the essential thereof are either permanently in water or in places where the 'water enters only when the gates are lowered at high water.

Having now particularly described my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:

l. A hydraulic apparatus to :be located between two difie'rent water levels, comprising, in combination, a supporting structure having an upper end portion and being formed with a chamber connected to said upper end portion and opening toward the upstream side of the water at the upper level thereof, said chan'lb'e'r having a lower front wall located adjacent to the upstream end ofs'aid supportingstructure; a lower gate mem ber pivotally connected adjacent the upper end thereof to said upper end portion of'said support ing structure and extending from said upper end portion or said supporting structure to a point immediately adjacent to said front wall 'of said chamber, whereby said lower gate member forms a movable cover for said chamber on the up: stream side thereof; an upper gate ember ionom-g aoo'ntinuatich of said lower a member and extending from said lower gate inemtr in a inmotion away from said front wall or said chain bar; and an arcuate shield member cassettes at one e ge-th'e'feof to the lower edge of said rowsgate ine'rhber and extending in the downstream dire I acor said lower gate memos? so that said sh eld iii-ember is posted within said chamher when said lower edge or said rower gate memher is located directly over said jf-ront wall or said chamber, the said shield member being ronted on are which has the pivotal connection a said lower gate member as its center, whereby said shield'nie'rhber cooperates with said neat wall to substantially seal the chamber "from the water on the upstream side thereof when the u per and lower gate members are rotated about said supporting by the water flowing from the upper level to the lower level.

2. JA hydraulic apparatus to be located between two diifrent water ie'vels coinprising, in coin binatio'n, a supporting structure having anuppei end portion and being formed with a chamber connected to said upper end ortion and openin toward the upstream side of the water at the upper level triereor, said chamber having a lower front well located adjacent to the upstream and of said supporting structure; a lower gate metabr pivotally connected adjacent the upper end thereof to said upper end portion of said supporting structure and extending from said upper end portion of said supporting structure to a point immediately adjacent to said front wall of said chamber, whereby said lower gate member forms a movable cover for said chamber on the upstream side thereof; weight means connected to the wall of said lower gate member on the side thereof which confronts the interior of said chamber; an upper gate member forming a continuation of said lower gate member and extending from said lower gate member in a direction away from said front wall of said chamber; and an arcuate shield member con nected at one edge thereof to the lower edge of said lower gate member and extending in the downstream direction from said lower gate member so that said shield member is locatedwithin said chamber when said lower edge of said lower gate member is located directly over said front wall of said chamber, the said shield member being formed on an arc which has the pivotal connection of said lower gate member as its center, whereby said shield member cooperates with said front wall to substantially seal the chamber from the water on the upstream side thereof when the upper and lower gate members are rotated about said supporting structure by the water flowing from the upper level to the lower level.

3. A hydraulic apparatus to be located between two different water levels, comprising, in combination, a supporting structure having an upper end portion and being formed with a chamber connected to said upper end portion and opening toward the upstream side ofthe water at the upper level thereof, said chamber having a lower front wall located adjacent to the upstream end of said supporting structure; a lower gate member pivotally connected adjacent the upper end thereof to said upper end portion of said supporting structure and extending from said upper end portion of said supporting structure to a point immediately adjacent to said front wall of said chamber, whereby said lower gate member forms a movable cover for said chamber on the upstream side thereof; an upper gate member forming a continuation of said lower gate member and extending from said lower gate member in a direction away from said front wall of said chamber; first duct means communicating at one end thereof with the interior of said chamber and having the other end thereof located adjacent to the upper water level on the upstream side of said chamber; second duct means communicating at one end thereof with the interior of said chamber and extending from said chamber to the water on the downstream side of said chamber; and an arcuate shield member connected at one edge thereof to the lower edge of said lower gate member and extending in the downstream direction from said lower gate member so that said shield member is located within said cham ber when said lower edge of said lower gate member is located directly over said front wall of said chamber, the said shield member being formed on an are which has the pivotal connection of said lower gate member as its center, whereby said shield member cooperates with said front wall to substantially seal the chamber from the water on the upstream side thereof when the upper and lower gate members are rotated about said supporting structure by the water flowing from the upper level to the lower level.

4. A hydraulic apparatus to be located between 6 two different water levels, comprising, in combination, a supporting structure having an upper end portion and being formed with a chamber connected to said upper end portion and opening toward the upstream side of the water at the upper level thereof, said chamber having a lower front wall located adjacent to the upstream end of said supporting structure; a lower gate member pivotally connected adjacent the upper end thereof to said upper end portion of said supporting structure and extendin from said upper end portion of said supporting structure to a point immediately adjacent to said front wall of said chamber, whereby said lower gate member forms a movable cover for said chamber on the upstream side thereof; weight means connected to the wall of said lower gate member on the side thereof which confronts the interior of said chamber; an upper gate member forming a continuation of said lower gate member and extending from said lower gate member in a direction away from said front wall of said chamber; first duct means communicating at one end thereof with the interior of said chamber and having the other end thereof located adjacent to the upper water level on the upstream side of said chamber; second duct means communicating at one end thereof with the interior of said chamber and extending from said chamber to the water on the downstream side of said chamber; and an arcuate shield member connected at one edge thereof to the lower edge of said lower gate member and extendin in the downstream direction from said lower gate member so that said shield member is located within said chamber when said lower edge of said lower gate member is located directly over said front wall of said chamber, the said shield member bein formed on an are which has the pivotal connection of said lower gate member as its center, whereby said shield member cooperates with said front wall to substantially seal the chamber from the water on the upstream side thereof when the'upper and lower gate members are rotated about said supporting structure by the water flowing from the upper level to the lower level.

5. A hydraulic apparatus to be located between two different water levels, comprising, in combination, a supporting structure having an opening toward the upstream side of the water at the upper level thereof, said chamber having a lower front wall located adjacent to the upstream end of said supporting structure; a lower gate member pivotally connected adjacent the upper end thereof to said upper end portion of said supporting structure and extending from said upper end portion of said supporting strucber on the upstream side thereof; an upper gate member forming a continuation of said lower gate member and extending from said lower gate member in a direction away from said front wall in said chamber lower gate member is located directly over said front wall of said ber being formed otal connection of said lower gate member as its center, whereby said shield member cooperates with said front wall to substantially seal the chamber from the water on the upstream side thereof when the upper and lower gate members are rotated about said supporting structure by the water flowing from the upper level to the lower level; and a wall member connected at one end to said arcuate chield member and connected at its other end to said lower gate member adjacent said upper end thereof, the said wall being spaced from said lower gate member so as to form with the same and with said arcuate shield member an enclosed space adapted to receive water therein for weighting the gate members.

6. A hydraulic. apparatus to be located between two different water levels. comprising, in combination, a supporting structure having an upper end portion and being formed with a chamber connected to said upper end portion and opening toward the upstream side of the water at the upper level thereof, said chamber having a lower front wall; a lower gate member pivotally connected adjacent the. upper end thereof to said upper end portion of said supporting structure and extending from said upper end portion of said; supporting structure to a point immediately adjacent to said front wall of said chamber, whereby said lower gate. member forms a movable cover for said chamber on the upstream side. thereof; an upper gate member forming a continuation of said, lower gate member and extending; from said lower gate member in a direction away from said front wall of said chamber; a second chamber connected to said support structure on the upstream side thereof, having a top wall almost contacting one of said gate members adjacent the pivotal connection of said lower gate member, and confronting the upstream side of said lower gate member so as to substantially prevent foreign objects from contacting said lower gate member; a first duct means communicating at one end with said second chamber and communicating at its other end with the water on the upstream side of said gate members; a second duct means communicating at one end thereof with said first-mentioned chamber and communicating at the other thereof with the water on the upstream side of said gate members, the other end of said second duct means being located a substantial distance above the other end of said first duct means; third duct means communicating at one end thereof with said first-mentioned chamber and extending from said first-mentioned chamber to the water on the downstream side of said supporting structure; and an arcuate shield member connected at one end thereof to the lower edge of said lower gate member and extendin in the downstream direction from said lower gate member so that said shield member is located within said chamber when said lower edge of said lower gate member is located directly over said front wall of said chamber, the said shield member being formed on an arc which has the pivotal connection of said lower gate member as its center, whereby said shield member cooperates with said front wall to substantially seal the chamber fromthe water on the upstream side thereof when the upper and lower gate members are r0- tated about said supporting structure by the water flowing from the upper level to the lower leve FRANTISEK JERMAR.

REFERENCES CITED The. following references are of record in the file of this patent:

0 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 735,387 Irwin et al Aug. 4, 1903 1,166,991 Jones Jan. 4, 1916 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 81,2711 Switzerland June 2, 1919 

